Methods and apparatus for generating a unique virtual item

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus for generating a unique virtual item are disclosed. In some embodiments, an encoding specification for a unique virtual item is generated. One or more components of the encoding specification influence properties of the unique virtual item. The generating includes deriving a first set of the one or more components from a plurality of items of personalization information. One or more item characteristics for the unique virtual item are created from the encoding specification. The one or more item characteristics describe a unique feature set for the unique virtual item in terms customized for a type of a rendering client. The creating the one or more item characteristics further comprises selecting based on the one or more components the unique feature set from options offered by a rule set.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY TO PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/475,027 entitled “Methods and Apparatus for Generating a UniqueVirtual Item”, filed Sep. 2, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/177,186 entitled “Methods and Apparatusfor Generating a Unique Virtual Item” filed Jul. 6, 2011, now U.S. Pat.No. 8,843,585, which claims benefit of priority of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/361,823 entitled “Virtual DNA” filed Jul. 6,2010, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/450,621 entitled “VirtualObject Based on Unique Identifier” filed Mar. 9, 2011, and of U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/449,397 entitled “System forRepresenting Funds” filed Mar. 4, 2011, the contents of which areincorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND Description of the Related Art

Virtual goods are non-physical objects purchased for display andinteraction. Examples of virtual goods purchased for display includee-cards, and examples of virtual goods purchased for interaction includeavatars in online communities or online games. Further examples ofvirtual goods include weapons sold in virtual games and the sale of realestate in virtual world simulations.

Each day, thousands of transactions take place for virtual goods such asswords, currency, or clothing across a multitude of virtual worldenvironments. For people who purchase virtual items such as swords orarmor, buying these items increases the overall satisfaction that thepurchaser receives from spending time in a virtual world, onlinecommunity or online game.

Typical virtual goods allow limited customization from a fixed set ofoptions, such as the color of a fish or the handle of a virtual weapon.These limited customizations accommodate a limited sense of user choiceand limited uniqueness of the goods.

SUMMARY

Methods and apparatus for generating a unique virtual item aredisclosed. In some embodiments, an encoding specification for a uniquevirtual item is generated. One or more components of the encodingspecification influence appearance properties of the unique virtualitem. The generating includes deriving a first set of the one or morecomponents from a plurality of items of personalization information. Oneor more item characteristics for the unique virtual item are createdfrom the encoding specification. The one or more item characteristicsdescribe a unique feature set for the unique virtual item in termscustomized for a type of a rendering client. The creating the one ormore item characteristics further comprises selecting based on the oneor more components the unique feature set from options offered by a ruleset.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a distributed system for generating a unique feature setof a virtual item, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2A illustrates a module that may implement generating a uniquefeature set of a virtual item, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2B depicts a module that may implement rendering a virtual itemwith a unique feature set, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2C depicts an encoding specification that may be used with oneembodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a high-level logical flowchart of a process forgenerating a unique feature set of a virtual item, according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 4 depicts a high-level logical flowchart of a process forgenerating an encoding specification for a unique feature set of avirtual item, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a high-level logical flowchart of a process forgenerating item characteristics from an encoding specification for aunique feature set of a virtual item, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 depicts a high-level logical flowchart of a process forgenerating a unique feature set of a virtual item, according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a high-level logical flowchart of a process forgenerating a transaction request for a unique feature set of a uniquevirtual item, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8 depicts a high-level logical flowchart of a process forgenerating a unique virtual item, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9A illustrates an example of a user interface for initiating atransaction request for a unique virtual item with a unique feature set,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9B depicts an example of a user interface for initiating atransaction request for a unique feature set of a unique virtual item,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9C illustrates an example of a user interface for providingpersonalization information for a unique feature set of a unique virtualitem, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9D depicts an example of a user interface for requesting renderingof a unique virtual item, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9E illustrates an example of a user interface for a unique virtualitem, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9F depicts an example of a user interface for interacting with aunique virtual item, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example computer system that may be used inembodiments.

While the invention is described herein by way of example for severalembodiments and illustrative drawings, those skilled in the art willrecognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments ordrawings described. It should be understood, that the drawings anddetailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention tothe particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is tocover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within thespirit and scope of the present invention. The headings used herein arefor organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limitthe scope of the description. As used throughout this application, theword “may” is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having thepotential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must).Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” meanincluding, but not limited to.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth to provide a thorough understanding of claimed subject matter.However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that claimedsubject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In otherinstances, methods, apparatuses or systems that would be known by one ofordinary skill have not been described in detail so as not to obscureclaimed subject matter. For example, where flowcharts are used below todescribe a series of operations that may be performed by embodiments,one of skill in the art will readily realize in light of having read thepresent disclosure that various operations may be omitted, or otheroperations may be added, or the order of operations may be variedwithout departing from the scope and intent of the embodiments presentedherein. Likewise, one of skill in the art will readily realize in lightof having read the present disclosure that, in diagrams with respect towhich software or hardware modules are discussed, that various modulesmay be omitted, or other modules may be added, or the placement ofmodules and operations in various systems may be varied from the formsdiscussed without departing from the scope and intent of the embodimentspresented herein.

Some portions of the detailed description which follow are presented interms of algorithms or symbolic representations of operations on binarydigital signals stored within a memory of a specific apparatus orspecial purpose computing device or platform. In the context of thisparticular specification, the term specific apparatus or the likeincludes a general purpose computer once it is programmed to performparticular functions pursuant to instructions from program software.Algorithmic descriptions or symbolic representations are examples oftechniques used by those of ordinary skill in the signal processing orrelated arts to convey the substance of their work to others skilled inthe art. An algorithm is here, and is generally, considered to be aself-consistent sequence of operations or similar signal processingleading to a desired result. In this context, operations or processinginvolve physical manipulation of physical quantities.

Typically, although not necessarily, such quantities may take the formof electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred,combined, compared or otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient attimes, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to such signalsas bits, data, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers,numerals or the like. It should be understood, however, that all ofthese or similar terms are to be associated with appropriate physicalquantities and are merely convenient labels. Unless specifically statedotherwise, as apparent from the following discussion, it is appreciatedthat throughout this specification discussions utilizing terms such as“processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining” or the likerefer to actions or processes of a specific apparatus, such as a specialpurpose computer or a similar special purpose electronic computingdevice. In the context of this specification, therefore, a specialpurpose computer or a similar special purpose electronic computingdevice is capable of manipulating or transforming signals, typicallyrepresented as physical electronic or magnetic quantities withinmemories, registers, or other information storage devices, transmissiondevices, or display devices of the special purpose computer or similarspecial purpose electronic computing device.

As used herein, when an operation is described with respect to a singleunique virtual item, component, characteristic, or data structure, oneof skill in the art will readily realize that the same operation isequally disclosed with respect to a set of multiple unique virtualitems, components, characteristics, or data structures.

Terms and Definitions Used in Discussing Generating Unique Virtual Items

As used herein, an “encoding specification” is, unless otherwise notedwhere used, a data structure including a set of components thatinfluence properties of the unique virtual item. A given encodingspecification deterministically yields repeatable values of itemcharacteristics. In some embodiments, an encoding specification is assimple as a string of a fixed number of bits, in which each bit controlsa particular feature. Other embodiments support encoding specificationsproduced as markup documents in markup languages such as XML or objectsin programming languages. In some embodiments, an encoding specificationincludes values describing sensory, physical and behavioral propertiesof the unique virtual item.

As used herein, a “unique virtual item” is, unless otherwise noted whereused, a product having features customized using a computer-implementedsystem for unique customization. In some embodiments, the entire uniquevirtual item is a virtual good, as described above, rendered as a datastructure or sensory display. Examples of such unique virtual itemsinclude computer graphics, or simulated items that may have display orbehavior properties in an interactive space capable of receiving userinput, such as a video game or other simulation.

In some embodiments, a unique virtual item may include graphics, as wellas animations, specifications of kinesthetic feedback, specifications ofsmell, taste or sound combinations to be emitted in conjunction with adisplay, or other attributes associated with a display. In otherembodiments, a physical embodiment of a unique virtual item is aphysical token or physical item with properties (e.g., displayattributes, textures, structure, behaviors, responses to stimuli,sensory attributes such as smell or taste), customized using acomputer-implemented system for unique customization. An example of athree-dimensional physical token that is a physical embodiment of aunique virtual item is a robotic device with responses to stimuli thatare influenced by components of an encoding specification used togenerate item characteristics that specify features of the uniquevirtual item. In both physical and graphical embodiments, the uniquevirtual item may be used to communicate messages to an observer or atransaction party, where the messages communicate information that maybe encoded as any display or condition intended to have meaning to theobserver or transaction party.

As used herein, “components of the encoding specification” are, unlessotherwise noted where used, any data set within the encodingspecification that can be compared to a rule set to define an itemcharacteristic. In some embodiments, the encoding specification is aunique string of components that may have a granularity as small as asingle bit.

As used herein, an “appearance property” is, unless otherwise notedwhere used, any presentation attribute of a unique virtual item.Examples of appearance properties include both physical and behavioralproperties of the unique virtual item. Colors and shapes of the uniquevirtual item are included as appearance properties. Additionally,behavior of the unique virtual item is, in some embodiments, included asan appearance property of the unique virtual item. For example, in anembodiment including a virtual fish tank simulation, the aggressivenessof a virtual fish toward other virtual fish is an appearance property.Other appearance properties include the fish shape and scale pattern. Asanother example, in an embodiment of a unique virtual item including athree dimensional rendering of a virtual flower, the rate at which theflower reproduces is an appearance property. Other appearance propertiesof the virtual flower include the petal shape and color. In anembodiment in which the unique virtual item is a weapon in a video game,the appearance properties include the damage inflicted by the weapon.The appearance properties may also include the frequency with which theweapon requires maintenance.

As used herein, “personalization information” is, unless otherwise notedwhere used, user input from a request for a virtual item or externalinformation that determines components of an encoding specification usedto create item characteristics. Particular sets of personalizationinformation used to define an encoding specification will vary betweenembodiments and their respective rule sets. Examples of personalizationinformation include items describing at least one or more transactionparties identified in a request for the unique virtual item and one ormore configurable feature specifications indicating requested propertiesof the unique virtual item. Further, personalization information mayinclude a rule set specification in a request for a unique virtual item,with the rule set specification describing the basic pattern or model ofthe virtual item. In addition to the examples of personalizationinformation discussed above, some embodiments support personalizationinformation drawn environmental information from an environment externalto a request for a unique virtual item.

As used herein, a “rule set” is, unless otherwise noted where used, alogical specification of options that allows for correlation oftransaction information to a unique feature set of a unique virtualitem. In some embodiments, a rule set includes a description of featureoptions that may be embodied as item characteristics that result fromparticular values of an encoding specification. In some embodiments, arule set is an archetype of a particular type of unique virtual item(e.g., a breed of flower or fish, or a type of weapon in a virtualgame). A rule set describes how a particular rendering client willrender the unique virtual item in response to an encoding specification.For example, some embodiments will support rule sets that allow for aplurality of types of rendering client to generate a unique virtualitem, with item characteristics, also called assets, customized for eachof the rendering clients. A single encoding specification may, in oneembodiment, support two-dimensional rendering patterns in atwo-dimensional graphical rendering client, three-dimensional visualtextures in a three-dimensional graphical rendering client, and aparticular physical feature specification (e.g., a given smoothnessvalue or surface material) in a rendering client including athree-dimensional fabricator). In some embodiments, a variety of ruleset is referred to as an archetype for a unique virtual item.

As used herein, a “transaction party” is, unless otherwise noted whereused, any person or entity having an identified relationship with arequest for a unique virtual item. For example, the term transactionparty, in some embodiments, includes a sender or a recipient of a uniquevirtual item. Additionally, in some embodiments, a transaction party isa party who is neither a sender or recipient of the virtual item, but isinstead a person identified with the transaction by virtue of havingsponsored or endorsed the virtual item or by virtue of having theirpersonally identifying information used in generating an encodingspecification (either with or without their consent). In someembodiments a transaction party may be an expected observer of theunique virtual item. In some embodiments, a sender and a recipient arethe same entity.

As used herein, a “request for a unique virtual item” is, unlessotherwise noted where used, a user interaction in which a unique virtualitem is requested from a unique virtual item provider. In someembodiments, a request for a unique virtual item is a transaction inwhich an ordering client is used to provide personalization informationand a request for creation of the unique virtual item.

As used herein, a “configurable feature specification” is, unlessotherwise noted where used, an option selection in a request for aunique virtual item.

As used herein, a “requested property of the unique virtual item” is,unless otherwise noted where used, any feature of the unique virtualitem that can be influenced through selection of a configurable featurespecification in a request. Examples include texture, color, tendencytoward particular responses to stimuli, and emission of smells, sounds,or tastes.

As used herein, an “item characteristic” is, unless otherwise notedwhere used, a data structure or a set of data structures describingaspects of a feature set of a unique virtual item in terms usable by arendering client to produce the unique virtual item. In someembodiments, item characteristics are assets used by a rendering engineof a rendering client to generate a unique virtual item with distinctiveproperties perceptible to an observer's five senses. Itemcharacteristics can include instructions to define creation of anybehavioral or sensory property of the unique virtual item correspondingto any one of the observer's five senses. For example, embodiments maycreate, for use with a simulation interface of a rendering client forinteracting with a three-dimensional graphical rendering of the uniquevirtual item, a set of variable values describing the framework shape ofthe unique virtual item, the texture and color of various portions of avirtual skin covering the framework, and behavior properties of theunique virtual item, such as its response to stimuli.

As a further example, embodiments may create, for use with a displaysystem of a rendering client for generating a picture of atwo-dimensional graphical rendering of the unique virtual item, anoutline of a unique virtual item, details of coloration and patterns forportions of the unique virtual item, and animation rules for generatingresponses to events on the display system.

As used herein, a “unique feature set” is, unless otherwise noted whereused, a set of characteristics or features that enable a differentiationbetween unique virtual items with non-identical encoding specifications.

As used herein, a “rendering client” is, unless otherwise noted whereused, a machine or computer program employed to create a unique virtualitem from a set of item characteristics. As discussed above, in someembodiments, a rendering client is simulation interface for interactingwith a three-dimensional graphical rendering of the unique virtual item.In other embodiments, rendering client is a display for generating apicture of a two-dimensional graphical rendering of the unique virtualitem. In still other embodiments, a rendering client is a manufacturingsystem including a fabricator for creating a physical representation ortoken of the unique virtual item that embodies attributes or behaviorsdescribed by the item characteristics.

As used herein, “deterministically encoding” is, unless otherwise notedwhere used, using a set of rules to reproducibly generate an expectedset of outputs from a set of inputs.

As used herein, an “encoding specification registered as using a ruleset” is, unless otherwise noted where used, an encoding specificationrecorded in a database in such a way as to enable comparison of theencoding specification to any subsequent encoding specificationassociated with the same rule set as the registered encodingspecification.

As used herein, a “non-uniqueness of an encoding specification” is,unless otherwise noted where used, an instance of a proposed encodingspecification that is identical to another encoding specification thatis based on a same rule set such that the proposed encodingspecification would produce a unique virtual item with a feature setthat is not distinguishable from an existing unique virtual item.

As used herein, a “uniqueness component of an encoding specification”is, unless otherwise noted where used, a variable or set of variableswithin an encoding specification that can be incremented todifferentiate between a set of encoding specifications.

As used herein, a “sensory property of a unique virtual item” is, unlessotherwise noted where used, any feature of a virtual item directlydiscernable by a human sense or by measurement, even if the property isnot discernable by a human sense (e.g., magnetic fields, voltages).

As used herein, “environmental information” is, unless otherwise notedwhere used, any variable external to a request for a unique virtualitem. Examples of environmental information include the time and date,random numbers generated by a virtual item generating provider or aclient, and information such as a media access control (MAC) address ofan ordering client sending a request for a unique virtual item. Forexample, a MAC address of a machine sending a request for a uniquevirtual item may be used as personalization information. A time stamp ofa request for a unique virtual item may be used as personalizationinformation. Frequently, environmental information is derived fromexternal information sources. For example, personalization informationmay be drawn from third party servers. Some embodiments scrape socialmedia profiles of transaction parties on social media systems or recordsounds in the environment of an ordering client to generatepersonalization information for inclusion in request.

As used herein, a “message” is, unless otherwise noted where used, anydisplay, item characteristic or behavior intended to communicate meaningto a receiver of the message. For example, a change of color may beintended to communicate a change of status. As an alternative example,emission of a chemical with a known smell may be intended to communicatea change of status.

As used herein, an “external information source” is, unless otherwisenoted where used, a source of data outside of a system for generating aunique virtual item. An example of an external information source is asocial media profile of a transaction participant. In some embodiments,in the absence of data from an external information source, a defaultsetting or internal machine-generated setting is used. Some embodimentsallow for customization of a unique personal item based on informationreceived from an external information source. In one such example, anembodiment may set the color of a unique virtual item based on thecolors of an alma mater of a recipient as extracted from the recipient'ssocial media profile or from the colors used in a website of an affinityparty.

As used herein, an “affinity party” is, unless otherwise noted whereused, a party indicated by a user as being an inspiration for the uniquevirtual item or a transaction party that is a sponsor, endorser, orbeneficiary of the creation of a unique virtual item.

As used herein, a “game condition stimulus” is, unless otherwise notedwhere used, a condition of a computer program associated with a uniquevirtual item. Examples of game condition stimuli include the length oftime since a virtual flower has been watered, the interaction of anavatar with a virtual flower, the aggressive behavior of a virtual fish,or any other condition of a simulation associated with a unique virtualitem.

As used herein, a “pointer to an electronic commerce transaction” is,unless otherwise noted where used, an instruction or addressing valueused to initiate, encourage, or complete a transaction involving theunique virtual item. Examples of pointers to electronic commercetransactions include a uniform resource identifier (URI) associated witha unique virtual item to encourage a deposit of funds to an accountassociated with the unique virtual item. Examples of pointers toelectronic commerce transactions include URIs to encourage purchase ofadditional unique virtual items. Examples of pointers to electroniccommerce transactions further include URIs to encourage transactions toservice a unique virtual item (e.g., buying fish food for a tank ofvirtual fish). Examples of pointers to electronic commerce transactionsinclude URIs to encourage transactions not involving virtual goods, suchas credit transactions (e.g. gift card) for an online retailer, orspecific items to be shipped upon clicking (e.g. chocolates, books, realflowers, etc). In some embodiments, one embodiment of a pointer to anelectronic commerce transaction is facility for a recipient of a uniquevirtual item to provide physical delivery information to a fulfillmentprovider without providing that physical delivery information to asender of a unique virtual item, thereby providing for the ability of arecipient of a unique virtual item to receive a physical item sent atthe request of the sender of the unique virtual item without revealingto the sender the physical delivery information.

Introduction to Generating Unique Virtual Items

Embodiments of methods and apparatus for generating a unique virtualitem are disclosed. In some embodiments, the unique virtual item is animage of a virtual good. In other embodiments, the unique virtual itemis a set of attributes or behaviors of a manufactured physical item. Anencoding specification for a unique virtual item is generated. One ormore components of the encoding specification influence appearanceproperties of the unique virtual item. Examples of such appearanceproperties of the unique virtual item include the coloration of an imageof a virtual flower, the behavior properties of an in-game item, such asa weapon in a video game, or the responses exhibited by a code object,such as a code object describing a virtual fish in a fish tank simulatoror a code object driving the responses of a robotic fish in a swimmingpool. Examples of unique virtual items will vary between embodimentswithout departing from the scope and intent of the present description.

In some embodiments, generating an encoding specification includesderiving a first set of the one or more components of the encodingspecification from personalization information. Examples ofpersonalization information include items describing at least one ormore transaction parties identified in a request for the unique virtualitem and one or more configurable feature specifications indicatingrequested properties of the unique virtual item. Further,personalization information may include a rule set specificationdescribing the basic pattern or model of the virtual item.

One or more item characteristics are created for the unique virtualitem. The one or more item characteristics describe a unique feature setfor the unique virtual item in terms customized for a type of arendering client selected from a plurality of rendering client types torender the unique virtual item. Examples of rendering clients varywidely between embodiments. In some embodiments, a rendering client issimulation interface for interacting with a three-dimensional graphicalrendering of the unique virtual item. In other embodiments, a renderingclient is a display for generating a picture of a two-dimensionalgraphical rendering of the unique virtual item. In still otherembodiments, a rendering client is manufacturing system for creating aphysical representation or token of the unique virtual item thatembodies attributes or behaviors described by the item characteristics.

In some embodiments, the type of rendering client will influence thetypes of item characteristics created. For example, embodiments maycreate, for use with a simulation interface for interacting with athree-dimensional graphical rendering of the unique virtual item, a setof variable values describing the framework shape of the unique virtualitem, the texture and color of various portions of a virtual skincovering the framework, and behavior properties of the unique virtualitem, such as its response to stimuli. As a further example, embodimentsmay create, for use with a display system for generating a picture of atwo-dimensional graphical rendering of the unique virtual item, anoutline of a unique virtual item, details of coloration and patterns forportions of the unique virtual item, and animation rules for generatingresponses to events on the display system. In some embodiments, creatingthe one or more item characteristics further includes selecting based onthe one or more components the unique feature set from options offeredby a rule set specified in a rule set selection. In some embodiments,the one or more item characteristics are sent to the rendering client.

Some embodiments may include a means for creating a unique virtual itemwith a unique feature driven by a unique encoding specification. Forexample, a virtual item generating module, as described below, mayreceive input identifying a rule set selection, customization options inthe form of configurable feature specifications, and identifyinginformation related to transaction parties associated with a request fora unique virtual item, as described herein. The virtual item generatingmodule may generate encoding specifications, and create itemcharacteristics, as described below. The virtual item generating modulemay in some embodiments be implemented by a non-transitory,computer-readable storage medium and one or more processors (e.g., CPUsand/or GPUs) of a computing apparatus. The computer-readable storagemedium may store program instructions executable by the one or moreprocessors to cause the computing apparatus to perform receiving inputidentifying the rule set selection, customization options in the form ofconfigurable feature specifications, and identifying information relatedto transaction parties associated with a request for a unique virtualitem, as described herein. The computer-readable storage medium maystore program instructions executable by the one or more processors tocause the computing apparatus to perform generating encodingspecifications, and create item characteristics, as described below.

Systems and Modules for Generating Unique Virtual Items

FIG. 1 depicts a distributed system for generating a unique feature setof a virtual item, according to one embodiment. One embodiment of aunique virtual item system 100 includes rendering clients 102 a-102 breceiving item characteristics 104 a-104 b from a virtual item provider106 across a network 108 in response to requests 110 from an orderingclient 114. While a pair of rendering clients 102 a-102 b and a singleone of each of ordering client 114 and virtual item provider 106 areportrayed in FIG. 1, one of skill in the art will readily realize, inlight of having read the present disclosure, that embodiments includinglarger numbers of rendering clients 102, ordering clients 114, andvirtual item providers 106 are contemplated by the present disclosureand are within the scope and intent of the embodiments disclosed herein.Further, in some embodiments, components of virtual item provider 106may be distributed across multiple computing systems. Additionally,while each of rendering clients 102 a-102 b and a single one of each ofordering client 114 and virtual item provider 106 are portrayed in FIG.1 are portrayed in FIG. 1 as residing on separate computing systems, oneof skill in the art will readily realize in light of having read thepresent disclosure that various embodiments will combine one or more ofrendering clients 102 a-102 b and a single one of each of orderingclient 114 and virtual item provider 106 (or their components) withoutdeparting from the scope and intent of the embodiments disclosed herein.

In some embodiments, a rendering client 102 is a machine or computerprogram employed to create a unique virtual item 122 from a set of itemcharacteristics 104. As discussed above, in some embodiments, arendering client 102 a is simulation interface for interacting with athree-dimensional graphical rendering of the unique virtual item 122 a.In other embodiments, rendering client 102 a is a display for generatinga picture of a two-dimensional graphical rendering of the unique virtualitem 122 a. In still other embodiments, a rendering client 102 b ismanufacturing system including a fabricator 124 for creating a physicalrepresentation or token of the unique virtual item that embodiesattributes or behaviors described by the item characteristics 104.Examples of fabricator 124 include three-dimensional printers andmechanical lathes. In some embodiments, a virtual item provider 106 is asystem or systems configured to translate requests 110 for virtual itemsinto item characteristics 104.

In some embodiments, item characteristics 104 are defined to mean a datastructure or data structures describing aspects of a feature set of aunique virtual item in terms usable by a rendering client 102 to producethe unique virtual item 122. Examples of item characteristics 104 aredescribed above. In some embodiments, item characteristics 104 areassets used by a rendering engine of a rendering client 102 to generatea unique virtual item 122 with distinctive properties perceptible to anobserver's five senses. Item characteristics 104 can includeinstructions to define creation of any behavioral or sensory property ofthe unique virtual item 122 corresponding to any one of the observer'sfive senses. For example, embodiments may create, for use with asimulation interface of a rendering client 102 for interacting with a3-dimensional graphical rendering of the unique virtual item 122, a setof variable values describing the framework shape of the unique virtualitem 122, the texture and color of various portions of a virtual skincovering the framework, and behavior properties of the unique virtualitem 122, such as its response to stimuli.

As a further example, embodiments may create, for use with a displaysystem of a rendering client 102 a for generating a picture of atwo-dimensional graphical rendering of the unique virtual item 122 a, anoutline of a unique virtual item 122 a, details of coloration andpatterns for portions of the unique virtual item 122 a, and animationrules for generating responses to events on the display system. Asensory property of a unique virtual item 122 may include any feature ofa virtual item 122 directly discernable by a human sense or bymeasurement, even if the property is not discernable by a human sense(e.g., magnetic fields, voltages).

Network 108 may include any channel for providing effectivecommunication between each of the entities of unique virtual item system100. In some embodiments, network 108 includes an electroniccommunication network, such as the internet, a local area network (LAN),a cellular communications network, or the like. Network 108 may includea single network or combination of networks that facilitatecommunication between each of the entities (e.g., rendering clients 102a and 102 b, ordering client 114 and virtual item provider 106) ofsystem 100.

In some embodiments, a request 110 for a unique virtual item 122 is auser interaction in which a unique virtual item 122 is requested from aunique virtual item provider 106. In some embodiments, a request 110 fora unique virtual item 122 is a transaction in which an ordering client114 is used to provide personalization information and a request forcreation of the unique virtual item.

In some embodiments, personalization information is user input from arequest 110 for a virtual item or external information that determinescomponents of an encoding specification used to create itemcharacteristics 104. Particular sets of personalization information usedto define an encoding specification will vary between embodiments andtheir respective rule sets. As discussed above, examples ofpersonalization information include items describing at least one ormore transaction parties identified in a request 110 for the uniquevirtual item 122 and one or more configurable feature specificationsindicating requested properties of the unique virtual item 122. Further,personalization information may include a rule set specification in arequest 110 describing the basic pattern or model of the unique virtualitem 122. In addition to the examples of personalization informationdiscussed above, some embodiments support personalization informationderived from environmental information, for example from an environmentexternal to a request 110 for a unique virtual item 122. Thus, in someembodiments, personalization information is personal information used toseed variability in three-dimensional graphics for the purpose ofcreating personalized unique virtual items including unique visuals(graphics, simulation and/or animation), abilities, and personality,which can be sold as individual products or used to add value to anexisting product (e.g., a personalized light emitting diode displayembedded within the shell of a consumer product).

In some embodiments, environmental information is any variable externalto a request 110 for a unique virtual item 122. Examples ofenvironmental information include the time and date, random numbersgenerated by virtual item generating module 120, and information such asa media access control (MAC) address of an ordering client 114 sending arequest 110 for a unique virtual item 122. For example, a MAC address ofa machine sending a request for a unique virtual item 122 may be used aspersonalization information. A time stamp of request 110 may be used aspersonalization information. Frequently, environmental information isderived from external information sources. For example, personalizationinformation may be drawn from third party servers (not shown). Someembodiments scrape social media profiles of transaction parties onsocial media systems (not shown) or capture (by causing an orderingclient 114 to record) sounds in the environment of an ordering client114 to generate personalization information for inclusion in request110.

In some embodiments, an external information source is a source of dataoutside of a system for generating a unique virtual item. An example ofan external information source is a social media profile of atransaction participant. In some embodiments, in the absence of datafrom an external information source, a default setting or internalmachine-generated setting is used. Some embodiments allow forcustomization of a unique personal item 122 based on informationreceived from an external information source. In one such example, anembodiment may set the color of a unique virtual item based on thecolors of an alma mater of a recipient as extracted from the recipient'ssocial media profile or from the colors used in a website of an affinityparty.

In some embodiments, a requested property of the unique virtual item 122is any feature of the unique virtual item 122 that can be influencedthrough selection of a configurable feature specification in a request110. Examples include texture, color, tendency toward particularresponses to stimuli, and emission of smells, sounds, or tastes.

Example operations of ordering client 114 are discussed below withrespect to FIG. 8. An example user interface implemented by orderinginterface 112 are discussed below with respect to FIGS. 9A-9F. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 1, virtual item provider includes a database116, a client interface 118 for interacting with an ordering client 114and a rendering client 102, and a virtual item generating module 120.

In some embodiments, rendering client 102 a is configured to directlyrender and display a unique virtual item 122 a, such as a graphicaldisplay of a unique virtual item. In some embodiments, rendering client102 b includes a fabricator 124 for creating a physical embodiment of aunique virtual item 122 b. In some embodiments, a unique virtual item122 is a product having features customized using a computer-implementedsystem for unique customization. In some embodiments, the entire uniquevirtual item 122 a is a virtual good, as described above, rendered as adata structure or sensory display. Examples of such unique virtual itemsinclude computer graphics, or simulated items that may have both displayand behavior properties in an interactive space capable of receivinguser input, such as a video game or other simulation. In someembodiments, a unique virtual item 122 may include graphics, asdescribed above, as well as animations, specifications of kinestheticfeedback, specifications of smell, taste or sound combinations to beemitted in conjunction with a display, or other attributes associatedwith a display. In other embodiments, a physical embodiment of a uniquevirtual item 122 b is a physical token or physical item with properties,(e.g., display attributes, textures, structure, behaviors, responses tostimuli, smell or taste) customized using a computer-implemented systemfor unique customization. An example of a three-dimensional physicaltoken that is a physical embodiment of a unique virtual item 122 b is arobotic device with responses to stimuli that are influenced bycomponents of an encoding specification used to generate itemcharacteristics that specify features of the unique virtual item. Inboth physical and graphical embodiments, the unique virtual item 122 maybe used to communicate messages to an observer or a transaction party,where the messages communicate information that may be encoded as anydisplay or condition intended to have meaning to the observer ortransaction party.

FIG. 2A illustrates a module that may implement generating a uniquefeature set for a virtual item, according to some embodiments. A virtualitem generating module 220 may implement the virtual item generatingtechniques discussed below with respect to FIGS. 3-6. Virtual itemgenerating module 220 may, for example, include one or more of anencoding specification generating module 260, a database interactionmodule 280, and an item characteristic generating module 270. FIG. 10illustrates an example computer system on which embodiments of virtualitem generating module 220 may be implemented. Virtual item generatingmodule 220 receives as input one or more rule sets 210.

A rule set 210 is a logical specification of options that allows forcorrelation of transaction information to a unique feature set of aunique virtual item. In some embodiments, a rule set 210 is adescription of feature options that may be embodied as itemcharacteristics 230 resulting from particular values of an encodingspecification 250. In some embodiments, a rule set 210 is an archetypeof a particular type of unique virtual item (e.g., a breed of flower orfish, or a type of weapon in a virtual game). Rule set 210 describes howa particular rendering client will render the unique virtual item inresponse to an encoding specification 250. For example, some embodimentswill support rule sets 210 that allow for a plurality of types ofrendering client to generate a unique virtual item, with itemcharacteristics, also called assets, customized for each of therendering clients. A single encoding specification 250 may, in oneembodiment, support two-dimensional rendering patterns in atwo-dimensional graphical rendering client, three-dimensional visualtextures in a three-dimensional graphical rendering client, and aparticular physical feature specification (e.g., a given smoothnessvalue or surface material) in a rendering client including athree-dimensional fabricator). In some embodiments, a variety of ruleset 210 is referred to as an archetype for a unique virtual item.

Encoding specification generating module 260 generates an encodingspecification 250 from user input 212, which may be received from anordering client (not shown) as a request (e.g., see request 110 ofFIG. 1) through a client interface (not shown), or, in some embodiments,through an optional integrated user interface 222. In some embodiments,an encoding specification 250 is a data structure including a unique setof components that influence properties of the unique virtual item. Agiven encoding specification deterministically yields repeatable valuesof the item characteristics 230. An encoding specification 250 may be assimple as a string of a fixed number of bits, in which each bit controlsa particular feature. Other embodiments support encoding specifications250 produced in markup languages such as XML. Encoding specification 250may include values representing sensory, physical and behavioralproperties of the unique virtual item.

In some embodiments, components of the encoding specification 250 areany data set within the encoding specification 250 that can be comparedto a rule set 210 to define an item characteristic 230. In someembodiments, the encoding specification 250 is a unique string ofcomponents that may have a granularity as small as a single bit. Asingle encoding specification 250 may lead to different itemcharacteristics 230, depending on the rendering client for which theitem characteristics 230 are generated from the encoding specification.Thus, a form of digital rights management is provided by specifying itemcharacteristics 230 available from a particular encoding specificationon a particular client. In one example, a unique virtual item can berendered on any or all of a set of possible rendering clients. Itemcharacteristics 230 vary between rendering clients based on bothrendering client capabilities and privilege choices related to users ofthe rendering client. For example, a unique virtual item with sexuallysuggestive features may—by sender's choice—not be rendered on a smartphone or cannot be forwarded or seen by persons other than the intendeduser. In one embodiment, an encoding specification 250 includes settingsfor privacy controlling item characteristics 230 related to managementof display rights.

Examples of such transaction information include personalizationinformation, as defined above, from a user, selections of configurablefeature specifications, and environmental information. In someembodiments, a configurable feature specification is an option selectionin a request for a unique virtual item. In some embodiments, transactioninformation includes transaction parties. In some embodiments, atransaction party is any person or entity having an identifiedrelationship with a request for a unique virtual item. For example, theterm transaction party may include a sender or a recipient of a uniquevirtual item. Additionally, in some embodiments, a transaction party maybe a party who is neither a sender or recipient of the virtual item, butis instead a person identified with the transaction by virtue of havingsponsored or endorsed the virtual item or by virtue of having theirpersonally identifying information used in generating an encodingspecification (either with or without their consent). In someembodiments a transaction party may be an expected observer of theunique virtual item. In some embodiments, a sender and a recipient arethe same entity. In some embodiments, an affinity party is one of theavailable transaction parties. An affinity party is a party indicated bya user as being an inspiration for the unique virtual item or may mean atransaction party that is a sponsor, endorser, or beneficiary of thecreation of a unique virtual item. In some embodiments, a virtual itemmay be configured to provide a pointer to an electronic commercetransaction.

In some embodiments, a pointer to an electronic commerce transaction isan instruction or addressing value used to initiate, encourage, orcomplete a transaction involving the unique virtual item. Examples ofpointers to electronic commerce transactions include a uniform resourceidentifier (URI) associated with a unique virtual item to encourage adeposit of funds to an account associated with the unique virtual item.Examples of pointers to electronic commerce transactions include URIs toencourage purchase of additional unique virtual items. Examples ofpointers to electronic commerce transactions include URIs to encouragetransactions to service a unique virtual item (e.g., buying fish foodfor a tank of virtual fish). Examples of pointers to electronic commercetransactions include URIs to encourage transactions not involvingvirtual goods, such as credit transactions (e.g., gift card) for anonline retailer, specific items to be shipped upon clicking (e.g.,chocolates, books, real flowers, etc).

Rule set 210 is used in selecting one or more components of the uniquefeature set from options offered by a rule set 210. In some embodiments,virtual item generating module 220 may receive user input 212, such aspersonalization information from a user and selections of configurablefeature specifications directly through a user interface 222. Referringbriefly to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, personalization information froma user and selections of configurable feature specifications may insteadbe received from a client interface 118 interacting with a remoteordering client 114.

Returning to FIG. 2A, virtual item generating module 220 then generatesan encoding specification 250 using encoding specification generatingmodule 260 by deriving components of the encoding specification frompersonalization information, selections of configurable featurespecifications, and environmental information. Examples of environmentalinformation include the time and date, random numbers generated byvirtual item generating module, and information such as a MAC address ofa client sending a request for a unique virtual item. Encodingspecification 250 influences appearance properties of a unique virtualitem generated from the encoding specification.

In some embodiments, appearance properties include any presentationattribute of a unique virtual item. Examples of appearance include bothphysical and behavioral properties of the unique virtual item. Colorsand shapes of the unique virtual item are included as appearanceproperties. Additionally, behavior of the virtual item is, in someembodiments, included as an appearance property of the virtual item. Forexample, in an embodiment including a virtual fish tank simulation, theaggressiveness of a virtual fish toward other virtual fish is anappearance property. Other appearance properties include the fish shapeand scale pattern. As another example, in an embodiment including athree dimensional rendering of a virtual flower, the rate at which theflower reproduces is an appearance property. Other appearance propertiesof the virtual flower include the petal shape and color. In anembodiment in which the unique virtual item is a weapon in a video game,the appearance properties include the damage inflicted by the weapon.The appearance properties may also include the frequency with which theweapon requires maintenance.

In some embodiments, virtual item generating module 220 then createsitem characteristics 230 using item characteristic generating module 270by selecting one or more components of the unique feature set to beembodied as item characteristics 230 from options offered by a rule set.In some embodiments, a unique feature set is a set of characteristics orfeatures that enable a differentiation between to unique virtual itemswith non-identical encoding specifications. The item characteristicsdescribe the unique feature set for the unique virtual item in termscustomized for a type of a rendering client. Virtual item generatingmodule 220 will, in some embodiments, use a database interaction module240 to store both item characteristics 230 and encoding specification250 to a storage medium 240, such as a database.

In some embodiments, database interaction module 280 is also used duringthe process of generating an encoding specification 250 to ensureuniqueness of an encoding specification. Specifically, in someembodiments, encoding specification generating module 260deterministically encodes the plurality of items of the personalizationinformation as the one or more components of the encoding specification250. In some embodiments, deterministically encoding is using a set ofrules to reproducibly generate an expected set of outputs from a set ofinputs.

Database interaction module compares the one or more components of theencoding specification 250 to a set of encoding specificationsregistered as also using the rule set in storage medium 240. In someembodiments, an encoding specification registered as using a rule is anencoding specification recorded in a database in such a way as to enablecomparison of the encoding specification to any subsequent encodingspecification associated with the same rule set as the registeredencoding specification. Responsive to discovering a non-uniqueness ofencoding specification 250, encoding specification generating module 260alters a uniqueness component of the encoding specification 250. In someembodiments, a non-uniqueness of an encoding specification is aninstance of a proposed encoding specification that is identical toanother encoding specification on a same rule set such that the proposedencoding specification would produce a unique virtual item with afeature set that is not distinguishable from an existing unique virtualitem. In some embodiments, a uniqueness component of an encodingspecification is a variable or set of variables within an encodingspecification that can be incremented to differentiate between a set ofencoding specifications.

In some embodiments, virtual item generating module 220 will furthersend item characteristics 230 to a rendering client, such as renderingclients 102 a-102 b, discussed above with respect to FIG. 1. Both itemcharacteristics 230 and encoding specification 250 may, for example, bestored to a storage medium 240, such as system memory, a disk drive,DVD, CD, etc.

FIG. 2B depicts a module that may implement rendering a virtual itemwith a unique feature set, according to some embodiments. A renderingclient 225 receives item characteristics 230 through communication witha database (not shown) using a communication module 265. Renderingclient 225 may implement one or more of the techniques associated withgenerating a unique virtual item as discussed below and illustrated inFIG. 8. In some embodiments, rendering client 225 is simulationinterface allowing a user to interact with a three-dimensional graphicalrendering of the unique virtual item through user input 217 supplied toa user interface 227. In other embodiments, rendering client 225 is adisplay for generating a picture of a two-dimensional graphicalrendering of the unique virtual item. In still other embodiments,rendering client is manufacturing system for creating a physicalrepresentation or token of the unique virtual item that embodiesattributes or behaviors described by the item characteristics through amanufacturing interface module 295 communicating with a fabrication tool(not shown), such as a three-dimensional printer, two-dimensionalprinter, casting system, engraver or a lathe.

Rendering client 225 generates output appearance data structures 235that will vary between embodiments of rendering client 225. For example,in embodiments configured to generate a graphical display, outputappearance data structures 235 may take the form of instructions to agraphical display for rendering an image, which may be eithertwo-dimensional or three-dimensional. Such instructions may be generatedby a rendering module 285. In some embodiments, rendering client 225 mayoperate as a free-standing application or as a plug-in module for avirtual world interface or other simulation, or as an in-line plug-infor a browser such as a web browser. Similarly, in embodimentsconfigured to generate a physical embodiment of a unique virtual itemthrough a manufacturing interface module 295 communicating with afabrication tool (not shown), output appearance data structures 235 mayinclude commands for depositing or removing physical material.

Additionally, rendering client 225 may include an updating module 275for creating status updates 255. Status updates 255 include changes to astate, attribute or status of a unique virtual item. In someembodiments, status updates 255 are the result of user input 217, suchas interaction with a game simulation hosting a virtual item tocommunicate a game condition stimulus, through user interface 227. Othergame condition stimuli may be generated by a rendering client 225, wherethe rendering client 225 is a simulation or game environment hosting theunique virtual item. In some embodiments, a game condition stimulus is acondition of a computer program associated with a unique virtual item.Example of game condition stimuli include the length of time since avirtual flower has been watered, the interaction of an avatar with avirtual flower, the aggressive behavior of a virtual fish, or any othercondition of a simulation associated with a unique virtual item.

In some such embodiments, status updates result in rendering module 285generating new output appearance data structures 235 for graphicaldisplay. In other embodiments, such as where a unique virtual item isphysically embodied, status updates are communicated to a physicalembodiment of the unique virtual item as instructions to change anappearance of the unique virtual item. Frequently, such appearancechanges are used to communicate a message to an observer of the uniquevirtual item.

In some embodiments, a message is any display, item characteristic orbehavior intended to communicate meaning to a receiver of the message.For example, a change of color may be intended to communicate a changeof status. As an alternative example, emission of a chemical with aknown smell may be intended to communicate a change of status. Outputappearance data structures 235 and status updates 255 may be stored to astorage medium 245, such as system memory, a disk drive, DVD, CD, etc.

FIG. 2C depicts an encoding specification that may be used with oneembodiment. The operations described below with respect to generating aunique virtual item are discussed with respect to an encodingspecification 250, which can take the form a series of bits ofsufficient length to contain the necessary variability, or it could be astructure (“struct” in C language would be an example). Components 252a-252 j control various properties of a unique virtual item. For sake ofclarity and conformance with the example portrayed below with respect toFIGS. 9A-9F, components 252 a-252 j encode visual properties of agraphical rendering of a virtual flower. One of skill in the art,however, will realize in light of having read the present disclosurethat the principles discussed herein with respect to encodingspecification 250 apply equally to other encoding specifications forother unique virtual items (e.g., weapons, fish, display characteristicsof a manufactured token representing a virtual good) as well as to othersensory properties (smells emitted, behaviors, etc.).

A first component 252 a controls a rule set used to generate a uniquevirtual item (called here an archetype). A second component 252 bcontrols a primary color of the unique virtual item. A third component252 c controls a secondary color of the unique virtual item. A fourthcomponent 252 d controls a primary structural feature (# of petals) ofthe unique virtual item. A fifth component 252 e controls a secondarystructural feature (stem shape) of the unique virtual item. A sixthcomponent 252 f controls a surface feature (surface pattern) of theunique virtual item. A seventh component 252 g controls a firstinteractive feature (transparency for viewing in a virtual worldsimulation) of the unique virtual item. An eighth component 252 gcontrols a second interactive feature (physical morphability) of theunique virtual item. A ninth component 252 h controls a third (stem)color of the unique virtual item. A tenth component 252 j controls athird structural feature (thorns) of the unique virtual item. While atotal of ten components are described with respect FIG. 2C, one of skillin the art will readily realize in view of having read the presentspecification that differing numbers of components may be used invarying embodiments without departing from the scope and intent of thisdisclosure. While components 252 a-252 j are based on continuous stringsof bits, some embodiments will support control of features throughdiscontinuous bits.

In some embodiments, components 252 a-252 j are derived fromalphanumeric values of personalization information, such as strings ofpersonalization information that can be entered in an interface, anexample of which is discussed below with respect to FIG. 9B. In someembodiments, strings may be converted into components 252 b-252 j bymeans of hashing. Likewise, numerical values may be converted intocomponents 252 b-252 j by means of an XOR operation. A digitalrepresentation of a photograph of a transaction party may be accepted bysome embodiments of the present invention and hashed to generatecomponents 252 a-252 j, as can an audio recording of a transaction partyor sponsor. In some embodiments, a sample of biological tissue may besequenced to derive DNA values that can then be used to controlcomponents 252 a-252 j. In some embodiments, components 252 b-252 j areused for selecting the one or more components of the unique feature setfrom options offered by a rule set specified by component 252 a.

Operations Usable in Generating Unique Virtual Items

FIG. 3 illustrates a high-level logical flowchart of a process forgenerating a unique feature set of a unique virtual item, according toone embodiment. An example of a system capable of executing theoperations described below with respect to FIG. 3 is virtual itemgenerating module 120 of FIG. 1, described above. In some embodiments,the process described below with respect to FIG. 3 enables use ofinformation that is unique to individual users or individual devices asinput to a procedure which will output selected graphical features of aunique virtual object, character, or thing or the environment whichsurrounds that object, character, or thing, or the conditions that arefound inside that environment.

An encoding specification for a unique virtual item, includingcomponents of the encoding specification that influence appearanceproperties of the unique virtual item, is generated by deriving a firstset of the one or more components from a plurality of items ofpersonalization information (block 320). Referring briefly to FIG. 2,personalization information may be received as user input 212 through auser interface in some embodiments. Referring briefly to FIG. 1,personalization information may be received in a request 110. One ormore item characteristics are created for the unique virtual item (block330). Returning to FIG. 3, in some embodiments, item characteristics arecreated by comparing a rule set to the encoding specification andselecting an option for an item characteristic from a set of optionslisted in the rule set based on the value of the component of theencoding specification. The one or more item characteristics are sent toa rendering client (block 340).

FIG. 4 depicts a high-level logical flowchart of a process forgenerating an encoding specification for a unique feature set of avirtual item, according to one embodiment. The one or more items of thepersonalization information are deterministically encoded as the one ormore components of the encoding specification (block 420). In oneembodiment, deterministically encoding is performed by generatingnumerical values for the encoding specification by performing repeatablemathematical operations on the personalization information, such as byhashing a string value. The one or more components of the encodingspecification are compared to a set of encoding specificationsregistered as also using the archetype (block 430). Responsive todiscovering a non-uniqueness of the encoding specification, a uniquenesscomponent of the one or more components is altered (block 440).

FIG. 5 illustrates a high-level logical flowchart of a process forgenerating item characteristics from an encoding specification for aunique feature set of a virtual item, according to one embodiment. Basedon a subset of the one or more components, an option for a value of theone or more components is selected from the set of options (block 520).A selected item characteristic is generated in accordance with theoption value (block 530).

FIG. 6 depicts a high-level logical flowchart of a process forgenerating a unique feature set of a virtual item, according to oneembodiment. A transaction request with one or more items ofpersonalization information describing one or more transaction parties,an archetype specification, or one or more configurable featurespecifications (block 610) is received. An encoding specification for aunique virtual item is generated from the transaction request (block620). Item characteristics are generated for the unique virtual item,describing the unique feature set for the unique virtual item, whereinthe unique feature set is based on an archetype describing a set ofoptions for each of one or more features (block 630). The itemcharacteristics and the encoding specification are stored (block 640).The item characteristics are delivered to a rendering client (block650).

FIG. 7 illustrates a high-level logical flowchart of a process forgenerating a transaction request for a unique feature set of a uniquevirtual item, according to one embodiment. Personalization informationdescribing one or more transaction parties is received (block 720).Personalization information describing an archetype specification isreceived (block 730). Personalization information describing one or morefeature specifications is received (block 740). External data isassigned (block 750), such as environmental data. A transaction requestis transmitted (block 760).

FIG. 8 depicts a high-level logical flowchart of a process forgenerating a unique virtual item, according to one embodiment. A uniquevirtual item is requested (block 810). Item characteristics are received(block 820). The unique virtual item is rendered (block 830). Externalstimuli are received (block 840). Properties of the unique virtual itemare adjusted in response to the external stimuli (block 850). Updatedstatus is reported to a database (block 860).

User Interface for Unique Virtual Items

FIG. 9A illustrates an example of a user interface for initiating atransaction request a unique virtual item with a unique feature set,according to one embodiment. In the example discussed below with respectto FIGS. 9A-9F, the unique virtual item is a graphical rendering of avirtual flower in a simulation environment for allowing interaction withthe flower, though one of skill in the art will readily perceived thatthe principles disclosed herein may be applied to other unique virtualitems and rendering clients without departing from the scope and intentof the present specification.

An initial user interface 900 of an ordering interface presents aninitial solicitation for a request 902 for a unique virtual item as wellas a request interaction tool 904. An information disclosure tool 906enables an ordering interface to present information about the uniquevirtual item that is relevant to solicitation for a request 902. Asample item presents an example of a possible unique virtual item thatcan be created using a rule set associated with initial solicitation fora request 902.

FIG. 9B depicts an example of a user interface for initiating atransaction request for a unique feature set of a virtual item,according to one embodiment. A request generation interface 910 presentsa request initiation tool 912 as well as a personalization informationentry window 914 including an entry tool for specifying a transactionparty 916 and an entry tool for specifying an item of additionalpersonalization information 918. While a name and birthdate are shown asbeing usable in FIG. 9B, one of skill in the art will readily understandin light of having read the present disclosure that other items ofpersonalization information may be used equally without departing fromthe scope and intent of the present disclosure. Examples of suitablepersonalization information include but are not limited to: name, birthdate, birth year, social security number, driver's license number, anymembership card # for any organization, DNA sequence, biometricmeasurements (e.g. circumference measurements of waist, torso, bicep,head, thigh, length measurements of legs, arms, nose, etc), password,age, age of first kiss, etc.

Entry tool for specifying a transaction party 916 receives a name of atransaction party, which in some embodiments refers to a person who isthe subject of the object being created. A transaction party may or maynot be the person interacting with the software (e.g. a virtual gift isbeing generated then the “subject” would be the person who willultimately receive the generated flower). “Subject” can also refer tofictional characters or non-human beings (e.g. pets), organizations thatsponsor or benefit from a unique virtual item, or virtual charactersperhaps created to exist in a virtual world. “Subject” can also refer toan electronic device. It is also possible to create a unique virtualitem with incomplete information (e.g., allowing embodiments to generaterandom bits of an encoding specification or seek information fromexternal information sources). In some embodiments, any informationwhich is unique to the subject can be used as input to generate acorresponding unique virtual item.

FIG. 9C illustrates an example of a user interface for providingnotification of creation of a virtual item, according to one embodiment.A notification message 920 informs a user that an identified user 922has requested creation of a unique virtual item and provides a renderingclient launch window for free-standing launch 924 as well as a renderingclient launch tool for embedded launch 926. In some embodiments, a user“discovers” the flower, introduced by a poem presented as notificationmessage 920 that celebrates the unique individuality of the user as wellas his/her new flower.

FIG. 9D depicts an example of a user interface for requesting renderingof a virtual item, according to one embodiment. A rendering clientinterface 928 presents a simulation environment for rendering of aunique virtual item. A placement icon 930 enables a user to specify alocation the simulation of client interface 928 for rendering of theunique virtual item. Instructions 932 are provided.

FIG. 9E illustrates an example of a user interface for a virtual item,according to one embodiment. A rendering client interface 934 presentsunique virtual item 936 in a simulation environment, as well as externalstimuli tools 938 for interacting with unique virtual item 936. Uniquevirtual item 936 exhibits both visual and behavioral properties. In someembodiments, an environment 946 is user selectable. A user of arendering client may select the environment where the flower lives byresponding to a question such as “Where would you like your new flowerto grow?” In some embodiments, options include in the rainforest, on theplains (“Fields of Gold”), beside a crystal stream, on a grassy hill, inthe desert, on the beach, in the arctic, on Mars. In other embodiments,a user may be prompted with questions to design a custom environment,with questions such as “Does your flower like it sunny or dark?” In someembodiments, answers to such environmental questions determine when theflower is in bloom during the day or at night.

External stimuli tools 938 may include the ability to perform activitiesthat provide stimuli to the unique virtual item or may alternativelyprovide interaction with other users. For example, after displaying aflower for first time, the rendering client interface 936 will, in someembodiments, prompt the user to (or simply suggest) sending an image ofunique virtual item 936 back to the person who gifted unique virtualitem 936 to them, because, in some embodiments, the unique virtual itemis not revealed to a user requesting creation until the unique virtualitem has been viewed by an intended recipient.

Unique virtual item 936 will exhibit various appearance propertiescontrolled by an encoding specification as embodied by itemcharacteristics. In some embodiments, a single encoding specificationwill render different sets of item characteristics that vary accordingto the rendering client used to render the unique virtual item. Examplesfor unique virtual item 936 include:

Archetype (also known as rule set)—Selecting from a list of possiblearchetypes which constitute major differences in appearance or modelfrom one to another. In some embodiments, archetypes are differentthree-dimensional meshes supported by rendering client interface 934. Inother embodiments, archetypes are different shape patterns rendered withvarying sets of options for any particular rendering client.

Optional Geometry—Selecting between different three-dimensional mesheswhich are used to complete or augment the appearance of the outputunique virtual item 936. In some embodiments, each category of optionalgeometry has several possible options, one or more of which is selectedby mapping the encoding specification to the rule set to create itemcharacteristics.

Geometry Morphing—In some embodiments, a three dimensional mesh that hasbeen selected will exhibit morph targets and input is used to assign aspecific combination of those morphs for interpolation between two,three, four, or more morph targets by interpreting input to renderingclient interface 934 to determine position, orientation, and othervisual appearance characteristics. Flowers may move in response to gamestimuli defined to indicate the position of an in-game light source orcan exhibit greater or lesser turgidity in response to watering ordessication.

Scale—The scale of the entire unique virtual item 936 or for differentoptional geometries is, in various embodiments, assigned differentscales from the input or in response to game stimuli (e.g., flowers canshow increased or decreased scale to “grow” or “wilt” in response towatering or lack thereof).

Color Scheme—The unique virtual item 936 is made with a single color orwith multiple colors. Individual optional geometries are colored by asingle color or multiple colors. These colors are selected from colorspectrums or color palettes specifically created by an artist designingan archetype.

Attributes—Variables which affect the characteristics of the flower inthe simulator are affected by the encoding specification. Theseattributes affect the graphics of the flower over time as the simulatorof rendering client interface 934 runs. For example, in some embodimentsa heartiness value could is generated from the encoding specificationwhich affects how well the flower resists mistreatment or the elements,making it less likely to droop or sag over time. Reproductiveproclivities of the flower are, in some embodiments, determined by suchattributes.

In some embodiments, external stimuli tools 938 further include theability to export a photograph of unique virtual item 936, e.g., todecorate social media profile. In some embodiments, external stimulitools 938 create a “mood” flower that allows the user to set a happy/sadquotient for unique virtual item 936 and have it update a social mediapage to reflect a current emotional state. In some embodiments, moodtransmission through external stimuli tools 938 only works if thecared-for flower is healthy and well-fed, otherwise the only mood whichcan be posted is “sad”/unhealthy.

In some embodiments, external stimuli tools 938 further include theability to send a “living” eCard of unique virtual item 936. In someembodiments, a card of unique virtual item 936 features an image/settingselected by the user and embedded in that image is an image of uniquevirtual item 936. In some embodiments, the otherwise still image ofunique virtual item 936 has, some minor animating elements (e.g.,clouds, occasional bird, flower blowing slightly in the breeze,occasional light rain, etc.).

In some embodiments, external stimuli tools 938 further include theability to create a screensaver for a computer hosting rendering clientinterface 934. In some embodiments, such a screensaver always shows theof unique virtual item 936 as it appears in rendering client interface934 and accurately reflects the current status of unique virtual item936 to stimulate interaction with unique virtual item 936.

In some embodiments, external stimuli tools 938 further include theability to create an avatar image by allowing a user to “press” theflower (or otherwise capture unique virtual item 936) into a picturethat is used as the account setting for an avatar. In some embodiments,unique virtual item 936 is exportable to a game simulation.

While the embodiments portrayed herein are described with respect to asingle unique virtual item 936, one of skill in the art will readilyunderstand in light of having read the present specification that someembodiments of rendering client interface 934 support multiple uniquevirtual items, which may be uniquely created by the comparison anduniqueness bit augmentation systems herein disclosed. In someembodiments, a user of rendering client interface 934 may combinemultiple unique virtual items into an assortment (e.g., a bouquet) andperform any of the above-described options with a multiflower version.Additionally, in some embodiments, unique virtual item 936 may be sharedbetween rendering client interface 934 and another user with ananalogous rendering client interface, such that a user of renderingclient interface 934 may send the flower to a friend (or receive) wherehe/she can collect several flowers for a flower pot that holds a“family” of flowers (e.g., which perhaps match a set of friends or themembers of an actual family). This new object can be used in of theabove interaction options and operationsas well.

FIG. 9F depicts an example of a user interface for interacting with avirtual item, according to one embodiment. A rendering client interface940 presents unique virtual item 942 in a simulation environment, aswell as external stimuli tool 944 for interacting with unique virtualitem 942. External stimuli tool 944 allows the user of rendering clientinterface 940 care for a flower (by feeding it). In some embodiments,over time as the user cares for unique virtual item 942, it willeventually be visited by a bee (not shown), which will pollinate it.After that point, a simulated breeze will blow pollen (not shown) intothe wind (not shown).

Rendering client interface 940 will follow the pollen away from uniquevirtual item 942, and it will land on the ground sprouting a new flower.Care for unique virtual item 942 may vary between flowers. Some willrequire more water, some less, some don't like over watering, some liketo be watered at night, etc. In some embodiments, unique virtual item942 will communicate messages, such as horoscope interaction so thatunique virtual item 942 will, each day, be set to a mood that reflectsuser mood. The horoscope setting can have different effects on not justthe flower but its environment within rendering client interface 940 aswell. In some embodiments of rendering client interface 940, the sun isshining on good days, gloomy on bad ones, and rendering client interface940 generates “god rays” from the clouds on particularly good days.

Example System

Embodiments of a unique virtual item generating module, a renderingclient, an ordering client and/or of the unique virtual item generatingtechniques as described herein may be executed on one or more computersystems, which may interact with various other devices. One suchcomputer system is illustrated by FIG. 10. In different embodiments,computer system 1000 may be any of various types of devices, including,but not limited to, a personal computer system, desktop computer,laptop, notebook, or netbook computer, mainframe computer system,handheld computer, workstation, network computer, a camera, a set topbox, a mobile device, a consumer device, video game console, handheldvideo game device, application server, storage device, a peripheraldevice such as a switch, modem, router, or in general any type ofcomputing or electronic device.

In the illustrated embodiment, computer system 1000 includes one or moreprocessors 1010 coupled to a system memory 1020 via an input/output(I/O) interface 1030. Computer system 1000 further includes a networkinterface 1040 coupled to I/O interface 1030, and one or moreinput/output devices 1050, such as cursor control device 1060, keyboard1070, and display(s) 1080. In some embodiments, it is contemplated thatembodiments may be implemented using a single instance of computersystem 1000, while in other embodiments multiple such systems, ormultiple nodes making up computer system 1000, may be configured to hostdifferent portions or instances of embodiments. For example, in oneembodiment some elements may be implemented via one or more nodes ofcomputer system 1000 that are distinct from those nodes implementingother elements.

In various embodiments, computer system 1000 may be a uniprocessorsystem including one processor 1010, or a multiprocessor systemincluding several processors 1010 (e.g., two, four, eight, or anothersuitable number). Processors 1010 may be any suitable processor capableof executing instructions. For example, in various embodiments,processors 1010 may be general-purpose or embedded processorsimplementing any of a variety of instruction set architectures (ISAs),such as the x86, PowerPC, SPARC, or MIPS ISAs, or any other suitableISA. In multiprocessor systems, each of processors 1010 may commonly,but not necessarily, implement the same ISA.

In some embodiments, at least one processor 1010 may be a graphicsprocessing unit. A graphics processing unit or GPU may be considered adedicated graphics-rendering device for a personal computer,workstation, game console or other computing or electronic device.Modern GPUs may be very efficient at manipulating and displayingcomputer graphics, and their highly parallel structure may make themmore effective than typical CPUs for a range of complex graphicalalgorithms. For example, a graphics processor may implement a number ofgraphics primitive operations in a way that makes executing them muchfaster than drawing directly to the screen with a host centralprocessing unit (CPU). In various embodiments, the image processingmethods disclosed herein may, at least in part, be implemented byprogram instructions configured for execution on one of, or parallelexecution on two or more of, such GPUs. The GPU(s) may implement one ormore application programmer interfaces (APIs) that permit programmers toinvoke the functionality of the GPU(s). Suitable GPUs may becommercially available from vendors such as NVIDIA Corporation, ATITechnologies (AMD), and others.

System memory 1020 may be configured to store program instructionsand/or data accessible by processor 1010. In various embodiments, systemmemory 1020 may be implemented using any suitable memory technology,such as static random access memory (SRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM(SDRAM), nonvolatile/Flash-type memory, or any other type of memory. Inthe illustrated embodiment, program instructions and data implementingdesired functions, such as those described above for embodiments of aunique virtual item generating module, a rendering client, an orderingclient and/or of the unique virtual item generating techniques are shownstored within system memory 1020 as program instructions 1025 and datastorage 1035, respectively. In other embodiments, program instructionsand/or data may be received, sent or stored upon different types ofcomputer-accessible media or on similar media separate from systemmemory 1020 or computer system 1000. Generally speaking, acomputer-accessible medium may include storage media or memory mediasuch as magnetic or optical media, e.g., disk or CD/DVD-ROM coupled tocomputer system 1000 via I/O interface 1030. Program instructions anddata stored via a computer-accessible medium may be transmitted bytransmission media or signals such as electrical, electromagnetic, ordigital signals, which may be conveyed via a communication medium suchas a network and/or a wireless link, such as may be implemented vianetwork interface 1040.

In one embodiment, I/O interface 1030 may be configured to coordinateI/O traffic between processor 1010, system memory 1020, and anyperipheral devices in the device, including network interface 1040 orother peripheral interfaces, such as input/output devices 1050. In someembodiments, I/O interface 1030 may perform any necessary protocol,timing or other data transformations to convert data signals from onecomponent (e.g., system memory 1020) into a format suitable for use byanother component (e.g., processor 1010). In some embodiments, I/Ointerface 1030 may include support for devices attached through varioustypes of peripheral buses, such as a variant of the Peripheral ComponentInterconnect (PCI) bus standard or the Universal Serial Bus (USB)standard, for example. In some embodiments, the function of I/Ointerface 1030 may be split into two or more separate components, suchas a north bridge and a south bridge, for example. In addition, in someembodiments some or all of the functionality of I/O interface 1030, suchas an interface to system memory 1020, may be incorporated directly intoprocessor 1010.

Network interface 1040 may be configured to allow data to be exchangedbetween computer system 1000 and other devices attached to a network,such as other computer systems, or between nodes of computer system1000. In various embodiments, network interface 1040 may supportcommunication via wired or wireless general data networks, such as anysuitable type of Ethernet network, for example; viatelecommunications/telephony networks such as analog voice networks ordigital fiber communications networks; via storage area networks such asFibre Channel SANs, or via any other suitable type of network and/orprotocol.

Input/output devices 1050 may, in some embodiments, include one or moredisplay terminals, keyboards, keypads, touchpads, scanning devices,voice or optical recognition devices, or any other devices suitable forentering or retrieving data by one or more computer system 1000.Multiple input/output devices 1050 may be present in computer system1000 or may be distributed on various nodes of computer system 1000. Insome embodiments, similar input/output devices may be separate fromcomputer system 1000 and may interact with one or more nodes of computersystem 1000 through a wired or wireless connection, such as over networkinterface 1040.

As shown in FIG. 10, memory 1020 may include program instructions 1025,configured to implement embodiments of a unique virtual item generatingmodule, a rendering client, an ordering client and/or of the uniquevirtual item generating techniques as described herein, and data storage1035, comprising various data accessible by program instructions 1025.In one embodiment, program instructions 1025 may include softwareelements of embodiments of a unique virtual item generating module, arendering client, an ordering client and/or of the unique virtual itemgenerating techniques as illustrated in the above Figures. Data storage1035 may include data that may be used in embodiments. In otherembodiments, other or different software elements and data may beincluded.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that computer system 1000 ismerely illustrative and is not intended to limit the scope of a uniquevirtual item generating module, a rendering client, an ordering clientand/or of the unique virtual item generating techniques as describedherein. In particular, the computer system and devices may include anycombination of hardware or software that can perform the indicatedfunctions, including a computer, personal computer system, desktopcomputer, laptop, notebook, or netbook computer, mainframe computersystem, handheld computer, workstation, network computer, a camera, aset top box, a mobile device, network device, internet appliance, PDA,wireless phones, pagers, a consumer device, video game console, handheldvideo game device, application server, storage device, a peripheraldevice such as a switch, modem, router, or in general any type ofcomputing or electronic device. Computer system 1000 may also beconnected to other devices that are not illustrated, or instead mayoperate as a stand-alone system. In addition, the functionality providedby the illustrated components may in some embodiments be combined infewer components or distributed in additional components. Similarly, insome embodiments, the functionality of some of the illustratedcomponents may not be provided and/or other additional functionality maybe available.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that, while various itemsare illustrated as being stored in memory or on storage while beingused, these items or portions of them may be transferred between memoryand other storage devices for purposes of memory management and dataintegrity. Alternatively, in other embodiments some or all of thesoftware components may execute in memory on another device andcommunicate with the illustrated computer system via inter-computercommunication. Some or all of the system components or data structuresmay also be stored (e.g., as instructions or structured data) on acomputer-accessible medium or a portable article to be read by anappropriate drive, various examples of which are described above. Insome embodiments, instructions stored on a computer-accessible mediumseparate from computer system 1000 may be transmitted to computer system1000 via transmission media or signals such as electrical,electromagnetic, or digital signals, conveyed via a communication mediumsuch as a network and/or a wireless link. Various embodiments mayfurther include receiving, sending or storing instructions and/or dataimplemented in accordance with the foregoing description upon acomputer-accessible medium. Accordingly, the present invention may bepracticed with other computer system configurations.

CONCLUSION

Various embodiments may further include receiving, sending or storinginstructions and/or data implemented in accordance with the foregoingdescription upon a computer-accessible medium. Generally speaking, acomputer-accessible medium may include storage media or memory mediasuch as magnetic or optical media, e.g., disk or DVD/CD-ROM, volatile ornon-volatile media such as RAM (e.g. SDRAM, DDR, RDRAM, SRAM, etc.),ROM, etc., as well as transmission media or signals such as electrical,electromagnetic, or digital signals, conveyed via a communication mediumsuch as network and/or a wireless link.

The various methods as illustrated in the Figures and described hereinrepresent example embodiments of methods. The methods may be implementedin software, hardware, or a combination thereof. The order of method maybe changed, and various elements may be added, reordered, combined,omitted, modified, etc.

Various modifications and changes may be made as would be obvious to aperson skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. It isintended that the invention embrace all such modifications and changesand, accordingly, the above description to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method, the methodcomprising, generating an encoding specification for a unique virtualitem in response to receiving a request from a sender party, wherein oneor more components of the encoding specification influence appearanceproperties of the unique virtual item, said generating comprisesderiving a first set of the one or more components from a plurality ofitems of personalization information, the plurality of items of thepersonalization information describe a rule set selection, and theplurality of items of the personalization information comprise itemsdescribing at least one or more transaction parties identified in therequest from the sender party or one or more configurable featurespecifications indicating requested properties of the unique virtualitem; creating from the encoding specification one or more itemcharacteristics for the unique virtual item, wherein the creating fromthe encoding specification the one or more item characteristics for theunique virtual item further comprises selecting based on the one or morecomponents the one or more item characteristics set from a set ofoptions provided by a rule set, and the one or more item characteristicsdescribe a unique feature set for the unique virtual item in termscustomized for a type of a rendering client selected from a plurality ofrendering client types to render the unique virtual item; sending theone or more item characteristics to the rendering client; displaying theunique virtual item to a recipient party; and denying access to theunique virtual item by the sender party until the unique virtual item isdisplayed to the recipient party.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein thederiving comprises: deterministically encoding the plurality of items ofthe personalization information as the one or more components of theencoding specification; comparing the one or more components of theencoding specification to a set of encoding specifications registered asalso using the rule set; and responsive to discovering a non-uniquenessof the encoding specification, altering a uniqueness component of theencoding specification.
 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1,wherein the one or more item characteristics comprise instructions forrendering a sensory property of the unique virtual item.
 4. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein the one or more itemcharacteristics comprise instructions for adjusting the sensory propertyin response to stimuli received by the rendering client.
 5. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the creating the one ormore item characteristics further comprises selecting the one or morecomponents of the unique feature set from options offered by a rule setspecified in the rule set selection.
 6. The computer-implemented methodof claim 1, wherein the personalization information further comprisesuniqueness information for setting a uniqueness component of the one ormore components based on environmental information.
 7. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the one or moretransaction parties further include a transaction party who is neither asender nor a recipient of the unique virtual item.
 8. A system,comprising: at least one processor; and a memory comprising programinstructions, wherein the program instructions are executable by the atleast one processor to: generate an encoding specification for a uniquevirtual item in response to receiving a request from a sender party,wherein one or more components of the encoding specification influenceappearance properties of the unique virtual item, the programinstructions executable by the at least one processor to generate theencoding specification further comprise program instructions executableto derive a first set of the one or more components from a plurality ofitems of personalization information, the plurality of items of thepersonalization information describe an rule set selection, and theplurality of items of the personalization information comprise itemsdescribing at least one or more transaction parties identified for theunique virtual item or one or more configurable feature specificationsindicating requested properties of the unique virtual item; create fromthe encoding specification one or more item characteristics for theunique virtual item, wherein the one or more item characteristicsdescribe a unique feature set for the unique virtual item in termscustomized for a type of a rendering client selected from a plurality ofrendering client types to render the unique virtual item, and theprogram instructions executable to create from the encodingspecification the one or more item characteristics further compriseprogram instructions executable to select based on the one or morecomponents the unique feature set from options offered by an rule setspecified in the rule set selection; send the one or more itemcharacteristics to the rendering client; display the unique virtual itemto a recipient party; and deny access to the unique virtual item by thesender party until the unique virtual item is displayed to the recipientparty.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the program instructionsexecutable to derive the first set of the one or more components fromthe plurality of items of the personalization information comprise:program instructions executable to deterministically encode theplurality of items of the personalization information as the one or morecomponents of the encoding specification; program instructionsexecutable to compare the one or more components of the encodingspecification to a set of encoding specifications; and programinstructions executable to, responsive to discovering a non-uniquenessof the encoding specification, alter a uniqueness component of theencoding specification.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the one ormore item characteristics comprise instructions for communicatingmessages to an observer.
 11. The system of claim 8, further comprisinginstructions executable by the one or more processors to receive arequest comprising the items describing at least one or more transactionparties and the one or more configurable feature specifications, andgenerate items of personalization information external to the request,wherein the personalization information external to the request includesa variable derived from an external information source.
 12. The systemof claim 8, wherein the one or more item characteristics furthercomprise specifications for generating a physical product.
 13. Thesystem of claim 8, wherein the one or more item characteristics furthercomprise instructions for programming behavior of the unique virtualitem.
 14. The system of claim 8, wherein the one or more itemcharacteristics further comprise instructions for programming behaviorof a physical product.
 15. A computer-readable storage medium storingprogram instructions, wherein the program instructions arecomputer-executable to implement: generating a plurality of encodingspecifications for respective ones of a plurality of unique virtualitems in response to receiving a request from a sender party, whereinsaid generating comprises deriving a first set of one or more componentsof each of the plurality of encoding specifications from respective setsof personalization information, the respective sets of thepersonalization information comprise items describing respective valuesof one or more configurable feature specifications indicating requestedproperties of the respective unique virtual items, the derivingcomprises deterministically encoding the respective sets of thepersonalization information as the one or more components of therespective encoding specifications, and the deriving comprises comparingthe encoding specifications to ensure uniqueness each of the pluralityof encoding specifications; creating from the plurality of encodingspecifications one or more item characteristics for each of the uniquevirtual items, wherein the one or more item characteristics for each ofthe unique virtual items describes a respective unique feature set forthe respective unique virtual item in terms usable by a rendering clientto render the unique virtual items, and the creating the one or moreitem characteristics for each of the unique virtual items furthercomprises selecting based on the respective one or more components therespective unique feature set from a set of options; displaying theunique virtual item to a recipient party; and denying access to theunique virtual item by the sender party until the unique virtual item isdisplayed to the recipient party.
 16. The computer-readable storagemedium storing program instructions of claim 15, wherein the derivingcomprises: responsive to discovering a non-uniqueness of an encodingspecification, rejecting a request for a virtual item.
 17. Thecomputer-readable storage medium storing program instructions of claim15, wherein the one or more item characteristics comprise instructionsfor rendering a characteristic linked to an affinity party.
 18. Thecomputer-readable storage medium storing program instructions of claim15, wherein the one or more item characteristics comprise instructionsfor rendering a three-dimensional physical token embodying the uniquevirtual item.
 19. The computer-readable storage medium storing programinstructions of claim 15, wherein the one or more item characteristicscomprise instructions for adjusting the appearance properties inresponse to game condition stimuli.
 20. The computer-readable storagemedium storing program instructions of claim 15, wherein the itemcharacteristics further include a pointer to an electronic commercetransaction.